Molluscum contagiosum

Description A skin disease that...

Description

A skin disease that is caused by a virus that results in multiple, small, painless, and pearly bumps. The bumps can appear on any skin surface besides the palms and soles of the feet and often have a central crater. The disease may spread by skin-to-skin contact. All age groups are susceptible to the virus, but it is more common in children. The condition is not serious and generally goes away on its own. The disease is also seen in individuals with HIV. In those individuals, the bumps often do not resolve and can increase in size and number due to immune suppression.

Symptoms

Symptoms include tiny bumps on the skin. In children, the bumps appear primarily on the arms, legs and trunk. In adults, they occur most often on the genitals, thighs and abdomen. The bumps are usually smaller than a quarter inch in diameter and there are usually less than twenty.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
Your doctor will most likely be able to make the diagnosis by taking your medical history and looking at your skin. If there is doubt about the diagnosis, your doctor may consider performing a skin biopsy (removal of a small amount of tissue for microscopic analysis).

Other Specific Tests: Skin biopsy

Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric Dermatology, Telemedicine Dermatology

Treatment

Often no treatment is necessary, since most infections resolve within a few months. Children are usually not treated. People who wish removal of the bumps and people with compromised immune systems can be treated with liquid nitrogen, curettage (scraping), topical acids or laser therapy.